Introduction
Chocolate is one of the most beloved treats around the world. But did you know that eating chocolate every day can actually have some surprising health benefits? According to dietitians, eating chocolate every day can have some positive effects on your health, including improved heart health, better cognitive function, and even weight loss. In this article, we’ll explore the surprising effects of eating chocolate every day, and how you can incorporate it into your diet in a healthy way.
Surprising Effects of Eating Chocolate Every Day, Say Dietitians
Chocolate is one of the most beloved treats around the world, and it’s no surprise that many of us enjoy indulging in it every now and then. But did you know that eating chocolate every day could actually have some surprising health benefits? According to dietitians, there are some surprising effects of eating chocolate every day that you may not have considered.
1. Improved Mood
One of the most surprising effects of eating chocolate every day is improved mood. Chocolate contains compounds like tryptophan, which helps to boost serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, and higher levels of it can lead to improved mood and feelings of happiness.
2. Lower Blood Pressure
Another surprising effect of eating chocolate every day is lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate can help to reduce blood pressure, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The flavonoids in dark chocolate are thought to be responsible for this effect.
3. Improved Cognitive Function
Eating chocolate every day can also have a positive effect on cognitive function. Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate can help to improve memory, focus, and reaction time. This is thought to be due to the flavonoids in dark chocolate, which can help to improve blood flow to the brain.
4. Reduced Stress Levels
Finally, eating chocolate every day can help to reduce stress levels. Chocolate contains compounds like theobromine, which can help to reduce stress hormones like cortisol. This can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and can even help to improve sleep quality.
So, if you’re looking for a delicious way to improve your health, consider adding a little chocolate to your daily routine. Just remember to choose dark chocolate, as it contains more beneficial compounds than milk chocolate.
There aren’t many people on this planet that dislike chocolate. Whether it’s ice cream, cookies, hot chocolate, or just a plain old candy bar, most of us will jump at the opportunity to take a bite.
But what happens to our bodies if we eat chocolate on a regular basis? In order to find out, we talked with dietitians Courtney D’Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness, and Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD at Balance One Supplements about the surprising effects of eating chocolate every day.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all chocolate is created equal. Cacao in its natural form is full of healthy antioxidants and nutrients, which is why dark chocolate is often healthier than other types that come packed with added sugar.
Here’s what you need to know if you enjoy a daily bite of chocolate, and for more healthy eating tips, check out Eating Habits to Help Boost Your Metabolism.
Dark chocolate has been found to possibly help improve your heart health because of its powerful antioxidants called flavonoids.
“There are antioxidants in dark chocolate that can increase blood circulation in the heart, reduce the risk of clotting, and have even been shown to lower blood pressure,” says D’Angelo. “That said, a healthy relationship with chocolate could lower the risks of stroke and heart disease.”
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As if we needed more excuses to eat chocolate, some research says it may improve your mood.
“If you think about it, eating chocolate almost always improves your mood, and studies have shown that people who ate chocolate reported feeling less stress,” says D’Angelo. “Researchers believe it’s because of how chocolate may positively impact heart health, since stress is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease.”
However, it’s important to be aware not only of how much chocolate you’re eating, but the quality as well. Diets higher in added sugars have actually been linked to more cases of anxiety and depression, which means that eating lower-sugar chocolate like dark chocolate, may be a better option.
Here’s why This Type Of Chocolate Will Improve Your Gut and Mood.
While dark chocolate contains many helpful nutrients, more processed chocolates like milk or white chocolate can be full of mostly added sugar.
“Certain types of chocolate can be a source of empty calories, meaning your body is primarily getting calories and very few vitamins, minerals, or phytonutrients,” says Best. “Empty calorie foods may contribute to weight gain, and when they are made with added sugars they can also lead to increased cravings. Eating chocolate regularly can create a sugar crash which inevitably leads to mood swings, increased hunger, and other potential negative side effects like increased blood glucose.”
Fruit can be a great way to get the natural sugars and carbohydrates your body needs, but if you’re eating chocolate every day, it may alter your sugar cravings and opportunity for natural sweetness.
“Eating chocolate daily may prevent you from finding healthier alternatives for your sweet tooth,” says Best. “When you eat added sugar on a regular basis you can begin to lose your taste for true sweetness, like fruit.”
Some research also shows that when you eat processed or added sugar, you could be more likely to form a habit of craving more sugar. And oftentimes this is when we’ll reach for more chocolate or candy instead of natural sugars.
“Chocolate contains magnesium, which has many benefits and is a mineral found naturally occurring in the earth as well as the human body,” says Best. “It is vital to life as it is contained in every cell of the body and important for carrying out many bodily functions. This mineral is important for brain health as well, and not only works within the brain for mood and cognitive support, but also outside of the brain in the blood vessels.”
It’s important to note of course that the darker the chocolate, the more nutritional the value and the more magnesium you consume. Milk chocolate may still contain nutrients, but its nutritional value goes down if it’s loaded with added sugars and other processed ingredients.